• Defence Notes

  Rolls-Royce joins BAE Systems’ Hawk AJTS team

  13th September 2013

  Rolls-Royce has joined the BAE Systems’ Hawk Advanced Jet Training System (AJTS) team to compete for the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) T-X programme. The programme …

• Defence Helicopter

  Longbow receives ROK AH-64E Apache radar order

  13th September 2013

  Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman joint venture, Longbow, will supply the Republic of Korea (ROK) with Longbow Fire Control Radars (FCRs) for the AH-64E Apache …

• Digital Battlespace

  DSEI 2013: FLIR displays CommandSpace Maritime

  12th September 2013

  FLIR Systems has publicly launched CommandSpace Maritime, a C2 system that is specifically designed for the maritime industry. The system has been developed with support …

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2013: Saab secures $8.2m Canadian camouflage net contract

  12th September 2013

  The Canadian DND has awarded Saab Barracuda a SEK54 million ($8.2 million) contract to provide its Multispectral Camouflage System (MCS) nets. Saab announced the contract at …

• Land Warfare

  DSEI 2013: Warthog shows its capabilities

  11th September 2013

  ST Kinetics is displaying a mock-up of a new version of its Warthog all terrain vehicle (ATV) that is aimed at showing the British Army the possibilities …

• Defence Helicopter

  DSEI 2013: Kelvin Hughes advance Sharpeye solid state radar

  11th September 2013

  Kelvin Hughes has introduced a new GaN (gallium nitrite) transistor into its Sharpeye radar system to enhance its power output and detection capabilities. Speaking to …

• Digital Battlespace

  DSEI 2013: New cryptographic system released

  11th September 2013

  Cassidian has launched a new compact variant of its cryptographic family of systems, the Ectocryp Yellow, at the DSEI exhibition in London. The system is …

• Naval Warfare

  Danish Navy selects Terma radar and C2 systems

  11th September 2013

  Terma radar and command and control (C2) solutions have been selected by the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) for the mid-life upgrade of …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Selex ES announces new Falco UAS contract

  11th September 2013

  Selex ES has announced that it will supply its Falco unmanned aerial system (UAS) to an unnamed country in the Middle East. The €40 million …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI 2013: Lockheed retains faith in K-MAX

  10th September 2013

  With further capability enhancements of the unmanned K-MAX cargo resupply aircraft underway, Lockheed Martin remains confident the project will transition into a programme of record …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DSEI 2013: Watchkeeper inches towards service entry

  10th September 2013

  Despite a stagnant development in the WK450 Watchkeeper programme in recent months, the British Army believes that the system will receive its release to service …

• Naval Warfare

  Queen Elizabeth Class carrier radar begins testing

  9th September 2013

  The Artisan 3D radar being developed by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) aircraft carriers has commenced integration trials on the …

• Defence Helicopter

  DSEI 2013: DARPA expands PCAS focus

  9th September 2013

  The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has re-scoped the work being carried out under its Persistent Close Air Support (PCAS) programme, it has …

• Digital Battlespace

  DARPA continues long-range surveillance research

  6th September 2013

  The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Trex Enterprises a contract for the Military Imaging and Surveillance Technology Long-Range (MIST-LR) programme, it was …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Euro Hawk sets European flight endurance record

  3rd September 2013

  Northrop Grumman’s Euro Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has flown continuously for 25.3 hours in European airspace, setting a new endurance record on 8 August. …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  RQ-4 Global Hawk (Japan)

  Programme Background Selection & Contract AwardIn 2015, Northrop Grumman's RQ-4 Global Hawk UAS and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft were selected by Japan to ...

• Light attack, Trainer

  IAR-99 Replacement (Romania)

  On 29 August 2017, Leonardo announced that the IAR-99 trainer technology demonstrator (TD) will be fitted with company's Vixen 500E AESA radar. The Vixen 500E AESA ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  Long-Range Drones [Norway]

  Programme Background Andøya Ambition On 3 April 2023, the Norwegian MoD released a statement confirming its plans for Andøya, the northernmost island in its Vesterålen archipelago. In addition ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  MQ-4C Triton (Contracted) [Australia]

  Programme Background Three Contracted Units In June 2018, the Government provided Second Pass (Tranche 1) Approval to procure the first of six air vehicles, supporting ...

• AEW&C

  E-2D (France)

  Programme Background In July 2020, France revealed its intention of buying a fleet of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Aircraft with a $2 billion potential FMS deal, ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - HALE

  MQ-4C Triton (Option) [Australia]

  Programme Background Four Contracted Units In the summer of 2020, Northrop Grumman announced that the Australian Government provided $333 million for three MQ-4C Tritons and associated ...

• Data links

  Data links | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-130J mission equipment will ...

• Air: Head-up displays

  Air: Head-up displays | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-130J mission equipment will ...

• Transponders and IFF

  Transponders and IFF | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-130J mission equipment will ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | E-6 TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) [USN]

  The TACAMO Recapitalisation Programme (E-130J) will replace the ageing E-6B Mercury and transition the US Airborne Strategic NC3 capability between aircraft. E-130J mission equipment will ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  Embarked VTOL UAV [South Korea]

  Programme Background VTOL Development In January 2024, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that it would commence development of a VTOL-capable rotary-wing UAV that ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  AW101-Norway

  AgustaWestland is also providing initial support and training services, including spares at each of the operating bases and aircrew training. It will then provide performance ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) [US]

  Programme Background Aims & Timeline As stated by DARPA, the ANCILLARY programme aims to develop and fly an X-plane that will provide a "leap-ahead" in long-endurance, ...

• Air: Radio and SATCOM

  Air: Radio and SATCOM | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA)

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

• Air: Helmet-mounted displays

  Air: Helmet-mounted displays | Penetrating Counter Air (PCA)

  USAF is working on Penetrating Counter Air (PCA) aircraft concept which may replace F-15C/Ds and F-22s in service and complement F-35s. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  AN/APG-81

  AN/APG-81 is operating in the X-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar designed by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems for the F-35 “Lightning” all-weather ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  AN/APG-83 SABR

  The AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar being developed by Northrop Grumman using its own ...

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar

  AN/APQ-181

  The AN/APQ-181 is a low-probability-of-intercept radar fitted to USAF Northrop Grumman B-2 stealth bombers. During the B-2 Radar Modernization Program – completed in 2012 – the ...

• Air: UAS radar

  AN/ZPQ-1 TESAR

  The Tactical Endurance Synthetic Aperture Radar (TESAR), developed by Northrop Grumman, is primarily designed for use on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) such as the Predator. 

• Major networking projects

  IBCS

  The Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) is a C2 system designed to integrate current and future sensors. The system also improves ...

• Air-to-surface missiles

  Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW)

  The Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) is an air-to-ground weapon that will provide strike capability to defeat rapidly relocatable targets as part of an enemy’s anti-access/area denial ...

• Land: air defence radar

  AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR

  AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) is a multi-mission system designed to support worldwide expeditionary requirements. It provides detection and tracking capabilities and offers traffic ...

• Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

  Defensive Management System-Modernisation

  The Defensive Management System-Modernisation (DMS-M) is the overarching effort to substantially enhance the Northrop Grumman B-2A Spirit strategic bomber’s Integrated Self-Protection System (ISPS) which includes ...

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar, Air: UAS radar

  AN/ZPY-5 VADER

  The Vehicle and Dismount Exploitation Radar (VADER) is an airborne radar system designed primarily for military applications. It is designed to track vehicles and foot traffic ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

  MQ-8C Fire Scout

  The MQ-8C is a newer version of the Fire Scout and is based on a Bell 407 commercial helicopter. It offers a greater range, endurance and ...

• Air: Integrated cockpit systems

  H-1 Family of Avionics

  Northrop Grumman produces a family of avionics for Bell H-1-series helicopters.

• Military - UUVs

  Manta Ray

  Manta Ray is an uncrewed underwater vessel (UUV) developed by Northrop Grumman.

• Loitering munitions

  Jackal

  The Jackal is a turbojet loitering munition designed by Northrop Grumman in partnership with AeroVironment.  It features an open architecture that provides the capability to support ...

• Air: AEW/fire control radar

  AN/APG-79

  The AN/APG-79 is an agile beam radar with a solid-state digital array that scans at nearly the speed of light, enabling detection and tracking of ...

• AEW&C, Maritime patrol

  E-2 Hawkeye

  The E-2 Hawkeye AEW&C; aircraft has gone through several iterations and can be operated from land, as with Egypt and Mexico, or from a carrier, ...